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Board approves budget amendments, declares four activity buses surplus and names NCSBA delegates; members press for minority contracting and budget clarity
Summary
The board approved 2025‑26 budget amendments, declared four activity buses surplus to be sold (proceeds to local funds), and appointed NCSBA delegates; members raised concerns about projected deficits, grant searches, minority contractor participation and staff compensation equity.
The Blaine County Board of Education on Nov. 10 approved budget amendments for the 2025‑26 year, declared four offline activity buses surplus and named the district chair and Mr. Hartfield Davis as delegates to the North Carolina School Boards Association.
During discussion of budget amendments (agenda item 5.2), board members sought detail about a projected year‑end shortfall and asked what sources would cover it. A district finance staffer said grant work was underway for exceptional children and other funds, and that the fund balance would be used if needed. "If we are that much at the end of the year, we still have that deficit, then we would have to use fund balance for that to take care," a staff member said.
The board voted to approve the budget amendments by voice vote.
On transportation, staff asked the board to declare four activity buses—units that are offline and not drivable—as surplus so they can be sold by sealed bid or auction. Administration noted the revenue from the sale would return to local accounts. "That money does go back into local funds because activity buses are locally paid," the superintendent said. The board approved the surplus declaration by voice vote.
On governance, the board debated the customary practice for NCSBA delegates and then approved designating the chair and Mr. Hartfield Davis as delegates to the state association.
Several board members used the discussion to press broader concerns: the timing of county budget discussions given state budget uncertainty; the need to track and update large projected deficits; and ensuring procurement and large projects include minority contractor participation. "We're required to give it to minorities, and we have not done that yet," a board member said, urging the district to broaden outreach to minority contractors in upcoming capital work. Members also flagged the long‑standing need for additional activity buses and for clearer multi‑month updates on fund balance projections and grant status.
